Tutorials

Podcast PR Pitch Templates

Reaching out to podcasts can be difficult. Podcast hosts are pitched a lot, especially the more popular ones.

But it's important to remember they have an undying need for content, and you have that content to offer them - for free.

The important thing to get right is a solid, relevant pitch to the podcaster. If you do that well, you'll give yourself the best chances of getting booked on as many shows as possible.

Here are some templates we've sourced and used over the years which are proven to work. I'll continue adding to these over time and this will be a living, breathing post. If you have any suggestions, feel free to email them to me at simon@podseeker.co.

If you need the data and contact details before sending these emails, you can of course use Podseeker for that. Click here to get a free trial.

Ok, here are the templates:

Template - Tried and true

This is a bread and butter pitch. It’s worked for myself and clients many, many times. The key is that your topics are relevant to the podcast you’re reaching out to. Remember, if you’re offering a good guest, and good topics, podcast hosts and producers will be begging to have you on - it’s free, valuable content for them. 

Note: you need to have actually listened to an episode and have actual thoughts on it.

Subject lines:

I got one for you

Loving [podcast name]

[podcast name] ideas

What if you tried these?

--

Hi [First Name],

I’m loving [podcast name]! I just listened to your episode with [guest] about [topic] and found it super interesting - thanks for putting it out there.

I have a guest for you who I think would be really relevant to your listeners. His/her name is [name] and he’s/she’s the [title] at [company]. He/she could talk at length about any of these topics:

  • [Topic idea 1]
  • [Topic idea 2]
  • [Topic idea 3]

Would your audience find value in these topics? Let me know if you’d like me to send their media kit.

Thanks,

[Your Name]

P.S. We have an [email list/Twitter following] of [size of audience], which we’d love to promote the podcast too if we go ahead

Template - you were recommended

Credit to Postaga for this one.

Subject lines: 

Podcast guest?

Thoughts on this?

--

Hey [First Name],

Your podcast was recommended to me so I have a few episodes of [Your Podcast] queued up – I’m excited!

Are you open to a guest slot / interview on your podcast in the next month or so?

If so, I’d love to come on and do an episode aimed at [topic]

Here’s a real quick overview of why it’d be a great fit for your audience / podcast…

  • [Why you're credible]
  • [Why your topic of choice would fill a gap for them]
  • [How you can promote their podcast for them]

Let me know what you think. 

Happy to answer any questions you may have and look forward to meeting you!

Here to help,

[Your Name]

Template - If you have a big name, drop it (and be cool)

If you have a big name that any podcast host would want on their show, you don’t need to do much more than say they’d like to be on the podcast. They’ll be jumped at.

Subject lines: 

Can [Big Name] appear on [podcast name]?

[Big Name] would like to talk

[Big Name] / [podcast name]?

--

Hi [First Name],

I’m representing [Big Name] and they’re interested in being a guest on your podcast. Would you consider having them on the show?

He/she’s just written a new book on the topic of [topic] and could discuss any of the ideas in there that your audience would find valuable. Topics include:

  • [Topic idea 1]
  • [Topic idea 2]
  • [Topic idea 3]

Let me know if you’d like to set up or if you need more information.

Thanks,

[Your Name]

Template - A bit quirky

Bigger podcasts get pitched fairly often. If you’re feeling gregarious and quirky, you can try calling that out and using some humour along with some self-deprecation. It may seem outrageous (and it sort of is), but it actually gets a decent response rate because it stands out. Credit to Jon Buchan at Charm Offensive for developing this methodology.

Subject lines:

Just what you wanted

Podcast host opens email… what happens next will SHOCK you!

--

Hi [First Name],

Here it is - exactly what you’ve been waiting for. Another podcast guest pitch.

Before you delete me, let me just say this guest is legit. It’s [Guest Name] and he/she’s the [occupation] at [company]. 

If he/she doesn’t wow you and your audience, he/she will at least tell you the most cringe joke you’ve ever heard. (They can also promote you to their [email list/Twitter following] of [size of audience], so I guess there’s that too).

But seriously, they’re expert on the following topics and we thought they would be valuable to your audience:

  • [Topic idea 1]
  • [Topic idea 2]
  • [Topic idea 3]

Thoughts?

Awaiting your disgruntled reply,

[Your Name]


Simon Thompson

PR and marketing professional with 10+ years experience.